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If you are of an artistic bent, becoming a professional artist must have crossed your mind at least once. Art is exciting, certainly more exciting than being buried in spreadsheets in a corporate job. It is through art, and through art only, that we can realise our perfection.” Oscar Wilde But what does art as a profession really entail? What are the things you need to know? What kind of education plan do you need to follow? Is a scholarship enough or do you need an education loan? Also, how do you make money from an art degree anyway? Well, here are some things you can do. 1. Knowing your education & career options Art degrees are not really as monolithic as you may think. They can lead to many different career avenues. As a matter of fact, there are many different kinds of art degrees! You have to figure out which degree is right for you. A Fine Arts degree is quite different from an Applied Arts or Design degree. In addition, there are specialized design degrees like graphic design, fashion designing, web designing, and many more. Fine arts, similarly, has specialized degrees in fields like painting, sculpture, printmaking, and so on. There are also degrees and disciplines that are loosely allied with arts but have different scopes and interests, for example, art history and curation.  Not all artists spend all their time in their studios or make money the same way. Design degrees can get you a well-paying corporate or freelance career. Fine arts degrees can also be lucrative, especially if you plan on teaching. It is important that you determine what kind of art course you want to take to understand the career options that would be available to you. 2. Finding the best fit Once you have determined what kind of degree and career path you want to undertake, you need to find a university or school that would be the best fit for you. Art school is one career path where studying abroad is worth it and makes a lot of sense. This is because universities abroad offer much better infrastructure, networking, and job opportunities, all crucial for any budding artist.  Image from Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels Research universities that are the best fit for you. This involves looking at their location, faculty, infrastructure as well as funding opportunities. Make sure that the university you are choosing is a good fit for the kind of artistic career path you have in mind. Choosing the right university is crucial to your education plan if you want to study abroad. 3. Convincing your parents If your parents are encouraging and supportive of your choice to pursue an art degree, that’s great! You are lucky! In fact, you are part of a lucky minority. Most parents tend to be a little iffy about any non-traditional career paths. If your parents fall into that majority, you may need to sharpen your persuasion skills a little.  Talking to your parents and persuading them is not as difficult as you may think. What you need to do is research and prepare a proper education plan. This plan is to show your parents that you have properly considered the details and intricacies of your decision and are prepared for any issues that might pop up. Image by Rodnae Productions on Pexels If that does not work, you can take the help of an education and guidance counselor. Counseling can help bridge the gap between you and your parents and bring them on the same page as you. Education counseling can also help you smooth out any kinks in your education plan. It can help you come up with comprehensive and pragmatic solutions that will enable you to follow your passions without reaching a career dead end.  You can even look for education counseling online if in-person sessions are not possible. 4. Securing Funding Art school is expensive. Not just tuition costs, but the costs of procuring materials and art supplies for projects and assignments can get pretty high.  You should look into the websites of the colleges you are applying to and talk to the admissions officer about funding opportunities. Look into the kinds of scholarships they have available and that their students and alumni have availed. Research one-time grants or fee waivers that you may be eligible for. You may need to secure an education loan. In that case, you should try to familiarise yourself with them. Find out how to apply for an education loan, the procedure, documents required, interest rates, repayment rules, etc. It could also be helpful to use an education loan calculator to figure out how much you can borrow and how much you would have to repay.  Talk to your parents because they are likely to have investments and savings set aside for your education. Education funding can be stressful but it is a necessary part of higher education planning. 5. Creating A Portfolio Portfolios are important when you are applying to an art school. A portfolio is a collection of your best work that basically acts as your resume. It presents the work you have done and are capable of doing so that admission committees can judge your skills and workmanship. A portfolio should therefore feature your best work but should also be diverse. You want to show people that you can do more than one kind of artwork and have more than one skill set.  You should refer to the websites of the universities you are applying to find out what they are looking for in a portfolio. Talk to admissions officers and current students and alumni of that university. You can also try to go online and look at other people’s portfolios to get an idea of how you should structure your own and what kind of artwork you should include. A portfolio contains artwork that is not just simply pretty to look at but also showcases the versatility of skills. For example, a simple landscape may be pretty to look at but does not really show any exceptional talent, skill or vision. Choose pieces that show your artistry with brushwork or impasto work. Pieces that are unique and show complexity and expertise with different materials or media are perfect for portfolios. What’s Next? Art school is a great place to both satisfy your passion and begin an exciting and promising career. You will be learning not just how to make great art but also how to sell and market that art. You will need to remember that you are not just here to learn artistry but to learn how to make a career out of that artistry. But even more than that, you are in college on an adventure! Remember to have fun on this adventure! FAQs How do I get into art school? There are many art schools across the world. The best way to start is to build a portfolio and check out the requirements for your chosen course. What subjects are needed for art school? You do not need to study any particular course for enrolling at art school. However, having an art subject like drawing, photography, fashion, designing or painting can be helpful. It gives a creative outlook and helps you build your portfolio that is required by most design/art schools in the world. What are the five steps for applying to an art school? Here are the 5 steps for applying to an art school - Knowing your education & career options Finding the best fit Convincing your parents Securing Funding Creating A Portfolio Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Many students have aspirations of studying abroad, but the exorbitant fees involved can be a significant barrier. Thankfully, there are nontraditional financing solutions that can help turn this ambition into a reality. Crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending, including the best peer-to-peer lending in India, are two such strategies that have grown in popularity recently. Peer-to-peer lending has benefits like cheaper interest rates and simpler access to funds, but there are also drawbacks to take into account.   On the other hand, crowdfunding enables students to raise money through social media channels, but success is not always assured. In this article, we'll examine the benefits and drawbacks of these alternate educational finance strategies, such as peer-to-peer lending for student loans and crowdfunding for international education. Crowdfunding for education abroad  For students looking for alternative financing options to pay for their studies abroad, crowdfunding has grown in popularity. Using social media and online fundraising platforms, crowdfunding is asking a lot of people for money to support a certain cause, like studying abroad.  By the use of crowdfunding, students can design a unique fundraising campaign where they can communicate their motivations, objectives, and financial requirements with a larger audience. By the use of social media, students can rapidly and effectively solicit donations from friends, family, alumni, and other possible donors using this strategy.  One benefit of crowdfunding for international education is that it can be a successful approach to generating money without taking on debt. Crowdfunding campaigns, in contrast to traditional loans, do not need repayment, and the money received can be used to pay for a range of costs related to studying abroad, such as tuition, transport, lodging, and living costs.  It is crucial to remember that the success of crowdsourcing campaigns cannot be guaranteed, therefore students should carefully prepare their initiatives and establish sensible objectives. To ensure the success of their fundraising efforts, students should be ready to communicate with potential donors and aggressively publicize their campaigns.  In conclusion, crowdfunding can be a helpful source of finance for students who want to pursue an international education, but it should be combined with other funding options to guarantee that all costs are met.  Peer-to-peer lending for education abroad  Peer-to-peer lending (P2P lending) has become a different kind of funding for students who want to pay for their studies abroad. P2P lending platforms let borrowers engage with lenders one-on-one, bypassing traditional financial institutions and giving them access to lower interest rates.  P2P lending allows students to borrow money from private lenders for their international studies, frequently at interest rates lower than those of traditional student loans. Additionally, this kind of funding offers students more flexible loan repayment terms so they can adjust their loan repayments to their financial situation once they graduate.  P2P lending has a number of benefits, one of which is that it may rapidly and effectively give students access to money for their studies abroad. With loan approval and disbursement occurring in just a few days, the loan application process is often straightforward and efficient. P2P lending can also be a viable choice for students who may not have a good credit history because individual lenders might be more ready to offer loans based on other criteria, like academic performance and possible future earning ability. To make sure they are obtaining the best deal possible, it is crucial for students to thoroughly research and evaluate P2P lending sites and loan terms. Students should also be aware of any hazards related to peer-to-peer lending, such as the absence of governmental monitoring and the possibility of dishonest lenders.  In conclusion, peer-to-peer lending can be a helpful source of finance for students who want to pursue an international education, but it should be combined with other funding options to guarantee that all costs are met.  Microloans for education abroad  Another alternative financing choice for paying for education abroad is microloans. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) give people who would not have access to conventional forms of financing microloans, which are modest loans often between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars.  Students can get tiny loans through microloans for international education to pay for things like tuition, travel, and living costs while they're away from home. Students with low financial resources or those who might not be eligible for conventional student loans because of a lack of credit history or collateral may find these loans to be very helpful.  The ability to rapidly and easily receive microloans for international education is one of their key benefits. Students can now get money in only a few days thanks to the shortened loan application procedures implemented by many microfinance firms. Additionally, microloans frequently have interest rates lower than those of conventional loans, making them a desirable choice for students looking for inexpensive funding.  It is crucial to keep in mind that microloans are frequently only offered in small quantities, which could not be sufficient to pay for all of the costs related to studying abroad. Also, to make sure they are obtaining the best deal possible, students should carefully investigate and contrast microfinance organizations and loan conditions.  Overall, microloans can be a helpful source of finance for students who want to pursue an international education, but they should be combined with other funding options to guarantee that all costs are met.  Conclusion  Finally, while studying abroad might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it can also be very expensive. Fortunately, students who wish to study abroad but cannot afford to do so have a variety of different financing choices. Students have access to cash quickly and effectively through crowdfunding, peer-to-peer lending, and micro-loans, typically at interest rates that are lower than those of conventional student loans.  To find the one that best meets their needs, students should carefully investigate and analyze the available financing options. Each financing option has benefits and drawbacks. To make sure that all costs are paid, students can also investigate other financial options like grants, scholarships, and work-study opportunities. In the end, students can choose the best funding solution to enable them to fulfill their aspirations of studying abroad without racking up excessive debt with careful planning and research. 

Investing in equity has never been an easy task. It demands a lot of time and effort from your side to understand the company’s business, analyze the financials, develop the investment philosophy, and whatnot. So, you invest in mutual funds, giving your money to a professional fund manager who will manage and invest it in equity markets. But he is going to charge fees for his professional services, and there is no assurance that he will be able to generate a good return. Then you might ask if there is any way by which you can invest in equities where you will not be required to put the effort like a professional fund manager or pay hefty professional fees, and yet you can earn a decent return. The answer to this question is index funds. In this article, we will see an index fund, its benefits and limitations, how to invest in index funds in India, how to buy index funds in India, and some points about ETFs. What is an Index Fund? Index Fund is a mutual fund where the fund manager invests in stocks that are part of a particular index called the underlying index. Here, the fund manager does not use his professional skills but replicates the index with the objective of earning a return (before fees and expenses) that is commensurate with the return of the underlying index. Since the fund manager does not apply his professional skills and the fund is managed passively by just copying the index, the expense ratios of index funds are also very low. Hence, index funds are the best passive funds. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/78mX8bcNPcM Benefits of Index Funds Lower Fees: Since the fund manager is not required to manage the funds actively and invest by replicating the underlying index, index funds have lower expense ratios than actively managed funds. Zero Risk of Fund Management: The risk of the fund manager's decisions going wrong is eliminated because the fund manager mimics the underlying index. Easy to Invest: Index funds are easiest to invest in because it requires very little application of financial knowledge than actively managed funds. Diversification: Generally, indices are well diversified, and since index funds invest in stocks that form part of that index, you get the benefit of diversification automatically. Due to the benefits mentioned above, index funds are the best passive funds to invest in. Limitations of Index Funds The only considerable limitation of index funds is that you don’t make returns higher than the index; you can make the maximum that index has made but not more than that. How to invest in Index Funds in India? Once you have decided to invest in index funds, you can follow the following approach for investing in index funds. Selection of the appropriate underlying index: Based on the time horizon and your risk appetite, you must select an appropriate underlying index for your investments. Selection of appropriate index fund: Once you have chosen the underlying index appropriate for you, you have to select the index fund with the index that you have chosen as its underlying. With the help of the following factors, you can decide the best index fund to invest in. AUM: Consider the funds with the highest AUM because the higher the AUM, the more the chances of being better managed. Expense Ratio: Since there is no active management of funds, you should consider the funds that have the lowest expense ratio, so you incur lesser costs. Tracking Error: Tracking error measures the difference between the returns generated by the index fund and the underlying index. The lower the tracking error, the better it is, as you get returns like the underlying index as much as possible. How to buy Index Funds in India? After deciding to invest in index funds, you might have a question about how to buy index funds in India. Don't worry. The procedure to buy an index fund is simple and the same as the procedure for buying any other mutual fund. You can visit the official website of the mutual fund, complete the standard KYC procedure, and fill up the required information for buying the index funds. You can also invest in index funds in India using our EduFund App without paying any commission in a simple and hassle-free manner. What is an ETF? ETF is also an index fund. The only difference is ETFs are traded on stock exchanges like normal stocks. There are also ETFs based on commodities like gold, silver, etc. You can consider the parameters of liquidity and volume in addition to the approach given above to decide the best ETF to invest in India. You can also invest in the best ETFs in India through our EduFund App. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ufTDh0aPOG8 Conclusion Index funds and ETFs are the best way to start investing, considering the benefits and limitations. However, time spent in the market is much more essential to create wealth. Hence, it would help if you focused more on staying invested for a longer duration than deciding which is the best index fund or the best ETF to invest in.  TALK TO AN EXPERT

"Learn from the mistakes of others; you can't live long enough to make them all yourself." Have you heard this Chanakya’s quote? Although applicable everywhere, it has a far deeper reach in investing. Applying this generic quote alone can save you from financial disasters because the repercussions of one mistake can overshadow hundreds of good things you do before investing, like collecting the data, hours of research, analysis, and whatnot. This can be even more severe if you invest in an asset class like US ETF with thousands of options. So, in this article, we will see some common mistakes while investing in US ETFs that you must avoid. 1. Investing in something without understanding what it is Often, investors jump on a particular ETF because of the FOMO (Fear of missing out) without understanding the nature and risks of the ETF. This can lead to disastrous impacts on your financial health if the decision does not go your way because you get exposed to many risks, and you are not aware of them. So, to avoid such a situation, you should first understand the ETF. Know its underlying index, whether it is thematic or not, large-cap or small-cap, the AUM, expense ratio, etc. You will get all this information in the scheme document of the ETF. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ufTDh0aPOG8 2. Going with the trend This is a very common mistake that investors make. You may get into trouble by investing in an ETF because a particular sector or theme is trending. Thematic investing is good but comes with its own set of risks. If you think a particular sector or industry will flourish, then only you should invest in such ETFs, not because the prices are rising. 3. Ignoring Diversification Diversification is a must to avoid company-specific risks. These risks are avoided partially when you invest in ETFs. But these types of risks remain if you invest only in one ETF. So, it would be best if you diversify your investments across some ETFs of different categories, so the overall risk is reduced significantly. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/UaxxaJeV5jE 4. Not Considering the expense ratio Expense ratios are very important when it comes to ETFs. Since ETFs are often passively managed, the expense ratios are very low compared to actively managed funds. So, you need to consider those funds with the lowest expense ratios because even a tiny difference can have a considerable impact in the long term. 5. Investing in ETFs with very low AUM Sometimes investors invest in an ETF with a low AUM just because it has performed well. Low AUM ETFs are considered risky compared to the ones with high AUMs. ETFs that have considerable AUM are better managed. So, choose those ETFs which have considerable AUM. 6. Trying to time the market The stock market behaves like a drunken man. No one can predict in which direction it will move in the short term. If you wait for markets to come down and do not invest, it may happen that markets will not come down, and you may lose the opportunity. It is better to remain invested and keep investing at regular intervals so that your investments' average cost decreases significantly. 7. Exiting the ETF without any reason Investors need to understand that investing requires patience. If you remain invested long-term, you will witness the magic of compounding. But many times, investors exit the ETFs without any reason. So, only exit with a valid reason. You should exit the ETF only if you need the money or there is an issue with the fund, sector, or economy. 8. Ignoring taxes Taxes can impact your post-tax returns drastically. Many investors earn hardly anything post-tax because of ignoring this factor. You should consider this factor and plan your finances accordingly. 9. Not knowing the forex rates This is a common mistake with Indian investors investing in US markets. Sometimes investors ignore the forex rates in a hurry to invest in US ETFs. The exchange rate is crucial when transferring funds from India to your US trading account. Moreover, a foreign exchange conversion fee will be charged by your bank. So, using a platform that has partnered with banks and provides better exchange rates and a lower markup fee is recommended. 10. Violating the FEMA Regulations As an Indian investor, you are required to adhere to the FEMA requirements when you enter any foreign exchange transaction. Although it has become straightforward to remit outside India due to LRS, violating these regulations can attract severe penalties and regulatory consequences.

ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund is the second-largest asset management company in India. With over Rs 5 Lakh crore, the AMC is among the most trusted names in the mutual fund space. The AMC offers products across asset classes. Let us talk about the flagship product – ICICI Prudential Small Cap Fund.  ICICI Prudential Small Cap Fund  Investment objective: The scheme's primary objective is to seek to generate capital appreciation by predominantly investing in equity and equity-related securities of small-cap stocks.  Investment Process: The Scheme will invest in 40-60 stocks which will be selected based on extensive research and screening. Some stock filters and parameters include Corporate Governance, Sector Opportunity, Leverage and RoE, Earnings potential, and Valuations, etc. Stocks selected for investment will be reviewed periodically.  Portfolio Composition:  As per its investment objective, the equity exposure is majorly in small-cap stocks at 61.97%. The funds are invested across all the sectors without any specific sector being given more importance. The top 5 sectors hold nearly 36% of the portfolio.  Note: Data as of 28th Feb. 2023. Source: ICICI Pru AMC  Top 5 Holdings for ICICI Prudential Small Cap Fund  Name Sector Weightage % Cyient Ltd. Technology 3.96 PVR Ltd. Services 3.77 Rolex Rings Ltd. Capital Goods 3.5 EPL Ltd. Materials 3.15 CCL Products (India) Ltd. Consumer Staples 3.14 Note: Data as of 28th Feb. 2023. Source: ICICI Pru AMC  Performance since inception  If you had invested 10,000 at the fund's inception, it would now be valued at Rs 52,020.  Note: Fund performance since launch; Inception Date – 23rd May 2008.  Source: icicipruamc.com  The fund has given consistent returns and has outperformed the benchmark by generating a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 11.36% since inception.  Fund manager  The fund is ably managed by Harish Bihani, who has 11 years of experience and manages four funds.  Who should invest in the ICICI Prudential Small Cap Fund?  Investors who wish to benefit from the higher growth potential and re-rating scope of small companies could consider taking long-term exposure in this scheme.  Why invest in ICICI Prudential Small Cap Fund?  The scheme allows investors to participate in the price discovery of small-cap stocks, usually below their full potential.  The scheme provides access to well-researched small-cap companies with a higher return potential and could grow to become tomorrow's market leaders in their respective segments.   Time Horizon  One should look at investing for a minimum of five years or more.  Investment through a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help tackle broader equity market volatility.  Conclusion  ICICI Prudential Small Cap Fund provides access to well-researched small-cap companies with a higher return potential and could grow to become tomorrow's market leaders in their respective segments. The fund has consistently outperformed its benchmark. Hence, investors seeking to invest for a long-term time horizon to generate high returns with higher risk can consider this fund.  Disclaimer: This is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only. 

HDFC Asset Management Company Ltd. (HDFC AMC) is one of the largest mutual fund companies in India. It is among one of the most profitable asset management companies (AMC) in the country. The company manages assets worth Rs. 4,48,493.89 crores as of 31st Dec. 2022. Let us talk about the consumer product – HDFC Top 100 Fund.  About the HDFC Top 100 Fund  Investment objective: To provide long-term capital appreciation/income by investing predominantly in large-cap companies.   Investment process:   The fund follows the investment style of a blend of growth at a reasonable price and value, wherein the stocks are selected using a bottom-up approach. The stocks are filtered based on factors such as Business Models, Management, Financial Metrics, Valuations, etc.  Portfolio composition:  HDFC Top 100 Fund holds significant exposure in large-cap equity at 94%, and only 6% is invested in mid-cap stocks. The significant sectoral exposure is Banks, which account for over one-fourth of the portfolio. The top five sectors hold more than 60% of the portfolio.  Note: Data as of 28th Feb. 2023. Source: HDFC Mutual Fund  Top 5 Holdings for HDFC Top 100 Fund Name Weightage % ICICI Bank Ltd. 8.97 HDFC Bank Ltd. 8.84 Reliance Industries Ltd. 6.34 Infosys Ltd. 6.13 HDFC Ltd. 5.58 Note: Data as of 28th Feb. 2023. Source: HDFC Mutual Fund  Performance: Fund name 1Y 3Y 5Y 7Y 10Y HDFC Top 100 Fund Direct-Growth (%) 5.86 28.16 11.58 14.04 13.82 S&P BSE 100 TRI -0.17 26.67 11.88 13.71 13.26 Data as of 21st Mar. 2023. Note: Returns over one year are annualized Source: Value Research Online  Fund Managers for HDFC Top 100 Fund  Mr. Rahul Baijal (Since 29th Jul. 2022) – Senior Fund Manager - Collectively over 21 years of experience in equity research and fund management.  Mr. Priya Rajan (Since 01st May 2022) – Senior Equity Analyst and Fund Manager for overseas Investments - Collectively over 15 years of experience.  Who should invest in HDFC Top 100 Fund?  Investors looking to invest in an equity portfolio without the very high risk and seeking better returns than the debt instruments can consider this fund. However, investors should remain invested long-term to witness wealth creation.  Why invest in this Fund?  Large-cap funds are relatively lesser risky than mid-cap and small-cap stocks. Since this fund invests most of its funds in large-cap stocks, the downside risk is comparatively less than the other actively managed funds.  Large-cap funds provide an excellent opportunity to generate high returns over the long term.  As per the data released by AMFI for Oct-Dec. 22 quarter, HDFC AMC is the third largest AMC in India.  This fund has consistently generated good returns and outperformed the S&P BSE 100 TRI.    Time Horizon  One should look at investing for a minimum of three years or more.  Investment through Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion  The HDFC Top 100 Fund is one of the oldest funds with a track record of over 25 years and has delivered over 18% CAGR since its launch. Thus, it is best for investors willing to take some additional risk for good returns over the long term. Disclaimer: This is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only. 

One of the largest AMCs in India, DSP has been helping investors make sound investment decisions responsibly and unemotionally for over 25 years. DSP is backed by the DSP Group, an almost 160-year-old Indian financial giant.  The family behind DSP has been very influential in the growth and professionalization of capital markets and the money management business in India over the last one-and-a-half centuries. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/35bgR0Abv4w Let us talk about the consumer product – DSP Small Cap Fund.  About the DSP Small Cap Fund  Investment objective: The primary investment objective is to seek to generate long-term capital appreciation from a portfolio substantially constituted of small-cap companies' equity and equity-related securities.  Investment process:  DSP Small Cap Fund invests in some of the smallest, fastest growing & innovative Indian companies.   It considers companies with strong business models in high-growth sectors and efficient management teams focused on utilizing resources wisely to unlock high-growth potential eventually.  Some of these companies could be just starting out and still in the early stages of proving their business plans- generally under-owned, under-researched & under-valued.  Portfolio composition:  The portfolio holds significant exposure in small-cap stocks at 86%, and major sectoral exposure is to Industrial Products, which account for roughly 14% of the portfolio. The top five sectors hold more than 50% of the portfolio.  Note: Data as of 28th Feb. 2023. Source: DSP MF  Top 5 Holdings for DSP Small Cap Fund Name Weightage % Cyient Limited 4.09 Suprajit Engineering Limited 3.66 Ratnamani Metals & Tubes Limited 3.56 Triveni Engineering & Industries Limited 3.29 K.P.R. Mill Limited 2.95 Note: Data as of 28th Feb. 2023. Source: DSP MF  Performance:  If you had invested 10,000 at the fund's inception, it would now be valued at Rs 1,09,789.   Note: Data as of 28th Feb. 2023. Source: DSP MF  Since its inception, the fund has generated a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 16.46% Fund Manager  Vinit Sambre has been managing this fund since June 2010 as a Co-Fund Manager. Vinit joined DSPIM in July 2007 as Portfolio Analyst for the firm's Portfolio Management Services (PMS) division, which manages discretionary accounts and provides advisory services to institutional clients. As a research analyst, he focused on sectors like Pharmaceuticals, Power Utilities, Chemicals, Fertilizers, and Textiles. Vinit specializes in the small and mid-cap space and has over 16 years of relevant work experience. Vinit is a Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.  Resham Jain has been managing this fund since March 2018 as a Co-Fund Manager for the Equity portion. Resham joined DSP Investment Managers in March 2016 as Assistant Vice President of the Equity Income Team. He has over nine years of experience. Before joining DSP Investment Managers, he worked for B&K Securities (I) Private Limited, Jaihind Projects Ltd & Arvind Ltd.  Abhishek Ghosh has been managing this fund since March 2013 as a Co-Fund Manager. Abhishek has a total work experience of 14 years. Abhishek joined DSP investment managers in September 2018 as Assistant Vice President of the equity team. His prior experience includes working in Motilal Oswal, IDFC Securities, BNP Paribas, B&K securities, and Edelweiss Financial Services. He has an MBA in finance and holds a Bachelor's in Electronics Engineering.  Jay Kothari has been managing this fund since March 2013 as a Co-Fund Manager. Jay Kothari, Vice President & Product Strategist -Jay has been with DSP Investment Managers since May 2005 and has been with the Investment function since January 2011. Before joining DSPIM, Jay worked for Standard Chartered Bank for a year in the Priority Banking division. Jay completed his Bachelor of Management Studies (Finance & International Finance) from Mumbai University and an MBA in Finance from Mumbai University.  Who should invest in DSP Small Cap Fund?  Consider this fund if you  Are you looking to tactically allocate 10-15% of your portfolio to high-risk opportunities?  Understand that very high risk is involved in this category of funds in the quest for high returns.  Have the patience & mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more.  Recognize market falls as good opportunities to invest more.  Why invest in this Fund?  This high-risk, high-return strategy offers the potential to 'earn big' returns.  It can help you beat the impact of rising prices over the long term.  It can be a suitable choice for tactical allocation.  Time Horizon  One should look at investing for at least ten years or even more.  Investment through Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion  The DSP Small Cap Fund has a proven track record of more than 15 years, where it has delivered a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 16.6%. Thus, it is the best option for investors who are willing to take small-cap exposure with high risks for a long-term time horizon.   Disclaimer: This is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only. 

One of the largest AMCs in India, DSP has been helping investors make sound investment decisions responsibly and unemotionally for over 25 years. DSP is backed by the DSP Group, an almost 160-year-old Indian financial giant.  The family behind DSP has been very influential in the growth and professionalization of capital markets and the money management business in India over the last one-and-a-half centuries. Let us talk about the consumer product – DSP Value Fund.  About the DSP Value Fund  Investment Objective: The primary investment objective of the scheme is to seek to generate consistent returns by investing in equity and equity-related or fixed-income securities which are currently undervalued.  Investment Process   This fund is designed on fundamental value-investing principles & forms its portfolio through a carefully constructed framework.  It aims to invest in 'good' Indian & international companies at 'good', reasonable prices.  It aims to allocate up to 35% to global 'value' stocks via internationally renowned value managers like Berkshire Hathaway, Lindsell Train, Harding Loevner, Veritas, etc.  Portfolio Composition  The portfolio holds major large-cap stocks and global funds exposure at 36% and 26%, respectively. Significant sectoral exposure (apart from the mutual funds) is to Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology, which account for roughly 10% of the portfolio.  Note: Data as of 28th Feb. 2023. Source: DSP MF  Top 5 Holdings of DSP Value Fund Name Weightage % Veritas Global Focus Fund 7.06 Berkshire Hathaway Inc - Class B 6.87 Harding Loevner Global Equity Fund 5.55 Lindsell Train Global Equity Fund 5.39 WCM GLOBAL EQUITY FUND 5.15 Note: Data as of 28th Feb. 2023. Source: DSP MF  Performance  If you had invested 10,000 at the fund's inception, it would now be valued at Rs 13,075.   Note: Data as of 28th Feb. 2023. Source: DSP MF  The fund was launched on 10th Dec. 2020. Since it has been only two years, investors must stay invested longer to see the fund outperform the index.  Fund manager  Aparna Karnik has been managing this fund since May 2022. Aparna Karnik is Head-Quantitative Investments and Analytics (QIA). Aparna has 17 years of experience in investment, credit and operations risk management. Before joining DSP, she worked with CRISIL Ratings in their Structured Finance Division, Large Corporates Group.  She holds a Masters's in Management Studies from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies.  Prateek Nigudkar has been managing this fund since May 2022. Prateek Nigudkar is a Quantitative researcher at DSP Investment Managers Pvt. Ltd. (DSPIM). Before joining DSPIM, Prateek headed a team of Quantitative analysts in the Equity Smart-Beta team for State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) in India. Prateek holds a Master's in Quantitative Finance from the University of Washington and is FRM certified. He has also cleared all three levels of the CFA examination from the CFA Institute.  Jay Kothari has been managing this fund since December 2020. Jay Kothari, Vice President & Product Strategist -Jay has been with DSP Investment Managers since May 2005 and has been with the Investment function since January 2011. Before joining DSPIM, Jay worked for Standard Chartered Bank for a year in the Priority Banking division. Jay completed his Bachelor of Management Studies (Finance & International Finance) from Mumbai University and an MBA in Finance from Mumbai University.  Who should invest in DSP Small Cap Fund?  Consider this fund if you  Are a first-timer or a relatively new equity market investor?  Have the patience & mental resilience to remain invested for a decade or more.  Recognize market falls as good opportunities to invest even more.  Accept that equity investing means exposure to risk.  Do not chase the highest possible returns at all times.  Why invest in this Fund?  Offers the potential to earn relatively risk-free, stable returns higher than those from pure fixed-income investments.  Get the benefit of equity taxation despite the low-risk orientation.  Time Horizon  One should look at investing for at least ten years or even more.  Investment through Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion  The DSP Value Fund is a good option for those who believe in the principles of value investing. Investors investing in this fund should remain invested long to reap the benefits of compounding.   Disclaimer: This is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only. 

In the previous article, we discussed taxation in mutual funds. In this article, we will discuss the types of risks associated with mutual funds. Mutual funds are excellent investment options for both novice and seasoned investors; they are currently a very popular investment option due to their capacity to provide inflation-beating returns.   Mutual funds combine money from a range of individuals and institutions and invest in various asset classes such as shares, debt, and other money market instruments after conducting thorough research to maximize capital appreciation or income generation.  The investors are subject to risks like volatility risk, management risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk, and inflation risk. We shall now discuss all such risks that come up with an investment in mutual fund schemes; a sound knowledge of these is helpful to an investor in making the investments.  There are two types of mutual funds: equity mutual funds and debt mutual funds. Risks associated with mutual funds There are major two types of risks associated with mutual funds that the article will discuss such as risks associated with equity mutual funds and risks associated with debt funds. 1. Management risk A company's management refers to the group steering the organization on the right path.   Changes in the management team and their activities, such as pledging shares, decreasing or increasing promoter stakes, and so on, can impact the price of a company's stock.   While principles such as solid corporate governance and high transparency benefit a company's stock, mismanagement, team conflicts, and other factors depress the stock price and thereby affect your mutual fund investments as well if that particular stock is a part of your investment.  2. Liquidity risk When it comes to equity investments, long-term investing has the best possibility of securing investment profitability.   Thus, it is difficult for equity mutual funds to quickly buy or sell stock investments to profit or minimize a loss leading to a situation where the scheme's liquidity is insufficient to meet investors' redemption requests.   A liquidity crisis like this is most prevalent when investors make a high number of redemption requests due to prolonged bad market inequities.   Many equity funds invest a small amount of their capital in debt and money market instruments to mitigate this risk and ensure more substantial returns.  3. Volatility risk An equity mutual fund invests mainly in the stocks of publicly traded corporations.   As a result, an equity fund's value is in line with the performance of the companies in whose stocks it has invested. Current macroeconomic conditions have an impact on the company's performance.   Government, Sebi, and RBI policies, consumer preferences, the economic cycle, and other macroeconomic changes are all examples of factors that directly impact the price of company stock, either positively or negatively.   The value of an equity fund is affected by this movement. Large-cap corporations, on average, are less prone to such volatility than mid-cap and small-cap market enterprises.   Similarly, when compared to thematic or sectoral equity, funds are diversified. Equity funds are less likely to be influenced by such volatility. Risks associated with debt funds 1. Inflation risk Bonds and money market instruments are fixed-rate instruments because their coupon rates are fixed. As a result, rising inflation erodes the coupon rate-based revenues that the debt fund aims to receive.   As a result, rising inflation causes bonds to trade at a lower price on the bond markets, lowering their potential returns for the debt funds investors. On the other hand, lower inflation tends to push bond prices and debt fund investment values higher.  2. Credit risk Government securities, corporate bonds, certificates of deposits, commercial papers and other debt and money market instruments are among the items that debt funds invest in.   Credit ratings such as AAA, AA+, AA, AA- and so on are offered by credit rating agencies such as CRISIL, ICRA, and Fitch they evaluate the credit quality of these investments, which vary depending upon the issuer.   A specific risk is that the borrower fails; they do not pay the principal and/or interest on the loan.  3. Interest rate risk A risk linked with debt funds is interest rate risk. Bonds are exchanged in the same way as stocks, and their prices fluctuate.   The economies' interest rates mainly influence the movement in bond prices; the link between interest rates and bond prices is the opposite. As a result, as the economies' interest rate rises, the values of current bonds fall since they continue to offer the same interest rate.   Interest rate risk refers to price variation in bonds caused by changes in interest rates it is a market-wide element that influences bond prices and, as a result, the value of all debt mutual funds.   The degree of interest rate sensitivity varies by debt fund type and is shown by the adjusted duration of the debt fund.   In general, debt funds that invest in shorter-term assets are less vulnerable to interest rate risk than those that invest in longer-term products.  With regard to the above-mentioned risks, it is vital to note that while mutual fund performance is always subject to numerous risks, every fund house employs a variety of tactics to reduce, if not eliminate, these well-known dangers.   As a result, even if your investment gains are not guaranteed, your chances of developing your wealth are good if you invest with a well-known fund house, choose a fund with an established track record, and make the investment with a long-term horizon. FAQs What are the three main risks associated with mutual funds? The three main risks associated with mutual funds are: Management risk Liquidity risk Volatility risk Do mutual funds have high risk? All mutual funds are risky. Its terms and conditions specify that mutual funds are volatile in nature and are subject to market ups and downs. There are different levels of risk involved in mutual funds. What is the biggest risk for mutual funds? The biggest risk for mutual funds is inflation. Inflation affects different types of funds differently. Rising inflation causes bonds to trade at a lower price on the bond markets, lowering their potential returns for debt fund investors. On the other hand, lower inflation tends to push bond prices and debt fund investment values higher. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan for you TALK TO AN EXPERT

The Netherlands has long been known for its high-quality higher education system, with a strong reputation for research and innovation. However, studying in the Netherlands can often come with a high price tag, making it a less accessible option for some students. Fortunately, there are several affordable universities in the Netherlands that offer excellent education without breaking the bank.   These universities offer a range of programs taught in English, from bachelor's to master's and Ph.D. degrees, with tuition fees often significantly lower than those of other institutions in Europe and the US. Along with affordable tuition, these universities offer various scholarship opportunities, making studying in the Netherlands an achievable goal for students from all backgrounds. In this article, we will explore some of the most affordable universities in the Netherlands and the opportunities they provide for students looking to study in this beautiful country.  Top cheap universities in the Netherlands for International students  The Netherlands is a popular study destination for international students, but tuition fees can often be a major hurdle. Luckily, there are several affordable universities in the Netherlands that offer excellent education at a reasonable price. In this article, we will highlight 6 of the cheapest universities in the Netherlands for international students.  1. Delft University of Technology  Delft University of Technology, also known as TU Delft, is a public university and one of the most affordable universities in the Netherlands. As the largest technical university in the country, it has a strong reputation for engineering education. TU Delft is committed to combining research, innovation, and technology to create cutting-edge inventions, and it challenges its students to pursue advanced solutions. In addition to several master's programs in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Engineering, the university offers a variety of popular undergraduate programs in Nanobiology, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering, and Molecular Science and Technology.   The average tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate programs at TU Delft are 15,200 EUR per year and 19,600 EUR per year, respectively.  2. Maastricht University  Maastricht University is a highly regarded public university and one of the affordable options for international students studying in the Netherlands. With over 50% of its students coming from abroad, it is also one of the most international universities in the country. The study programs at the university have an international focus and are created to prepare students for their future careers. A number of well-known master's programs are available at Maastricht University, including Business Research, Data Science for Decision Making, Dutch Law, Digital Business and Economics, Economic and Financial Research, and Economics. Biomedical sciences, economics and business economics, European Studies, the European Law School, and data science and knowledge engineering are some of the university's most well-liked undergraduate programs.   The average tuition fee for undergraduate and postgraduate programs at Maastricht University is 8,221 EUR per year and 12,331 EUR per year, respectively.  Affordable Universities in the UK READ MORE 3. Radboud University  Radboud University is a public university located in Nijmegen and is one of the most affordable universities in the Netherlands. While the majority of its programs are for graduate students, the university also offers around 15 undergraduate programs. Radboud University provides a wide range of programs including American Studies, Business Management, Chemistry, Artificial Intelligence, and Molecular Life Studies. Some of the popular undergraduate programs at the university include B. An Arts and Culture Studies, BSc Psychology, B.An International Business Communication, BSc in Computing Science, BSc in Artificial Intelligence, and BSc in Chemistry. For postgraduate students, the university offers several master's programs, such as MSc Artificial Intelligence, MSc Cyber Security, MSc Information Sciences, MSc Business Administration, and MSc Economics.   The average tuition fees for undergraduate programs at Radboud University are 2,143 EUR per year, while for postgraduate programs, the fees range from 12,500 to 16,500 EUR per year.  4. University of Groningen  The University of Groningen is a public university and one of the affordable options for international students studying in the Netherlands. It provides various programs to over 6,000 international students and is organized into 11 faculties of study, including multiple graduate schools and several elite research institutions. The university offers a wide range of disciplines, including law, economics, business, humanities, social sciences, life sciences, and more. The University of Groningen is popular for its undergraduate programs such as American Studies, Media Studies, Art History, International Business, Medicine, and Astrology. The university also offers several master's programs such as master's in psychology, European Studies, Linguistics, Finance, and Information Science.   The average tuition fees for undergraduate programs at the University of Groningen are 9,000 EUR per year, while for postgraduate programs, the fees are 13,220 EUR per year.  Affordable Universities in NewZeland Read More 5. University of Twente (UT)  The University of Twente (UT) is a public university and a leader in implementing educational design reforms in line with the new bachelor's and master's degree structures. The university is internationally appreciated for its expertise in public policy studies and applied physics to biomedical technology. UT is one of the most affordable universities in the Netherlands, offering numerous programs to international students across its five different departments. The university offers various popular undergraduate courses such as Applied Mathematics, Advanced Technology, Biomedical Technology, Chemical Science & Engineering, Civil Engineering, Communication Science, Electrical Engineering, and Health Sciences. Similarly, the postgraduate courses offered by UT include Applied Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Business Administration, Civil Engineering & Management, Computer Science, Educational Science & Technology, Embedded Systems, and European Studies.   The average tuition fees for undergraduate programs at UT are 8,200 EUR per year, while for postgraduate programs, the fees are 12,750 EUR per year.  6. Utrecht University  Utrecht University, a public university in the Netherlands, is well-regarded for research and technology across its seven departments and three institutes. With over 90 Master's programs and 12 bachelor's programs, Utrecht University is known for its quality education at a reasonable tuition fee, making it one of the most affordable universities in the Netherlands for international students.   Popular courses include economics and business economics, global sustainability science, and MSc in infection and immunity, with an average tuition fee of 11,000 EUR/year for undergraduate programs and 17,500 EUR/year for graduate programs.  In conclusion, the Netherlands offers a range of cheap tuition fees for universities for international students. Among these, Maastricht University, Radboud University, University of Groningen, University of Twente, and Utrecht University stand out as popular choices for students looking to pursue their higher education in a dynamic and internationally oriented environment. These universities offer a variety of bachelor's and master's programs across disciplines such as business, engineering, humanities, and sciences. With affordable tuition fees and high-quality education, these universities provide an excellent learning experience to students from all over the world. 

Students may show potential employers through a dual degree program that they have what it takes to excel in a global setting. In this blog, we will discuss the best undergraduate and master’s dual degree programs and how to use an abroad education loan to fund a dual degree program. What are dual degree programs? Due to the ability to study in two distinct nations, dual degrees, also known as double degrees or combined degrees, allow you to obtain a more thorough understanding of a certain subject. Although pursuing a dual degree is important and may be highly advantageous, it does need a little more dedication and self-control. It also calls for outstanding time management skills as you adjust to different teaching methods and go beyond language obstacles. How to use an abroad education loan to fund a dual degree program? Given that it combines two fields, a dual degree could cost a bit more than a regular one. Following are the ways to use an abroad education loan to fund a dual degree program: 1. Financial planning An effective loan application is a crucial component of a careful financial strategy created to pay for your dual degree program abroad at the lowest possible cost. Scholarships, grants, past savings, and student loans are important parts of the strategy. Spend some time weighing the correct loan amount against the cost of redeeming your investments. 2. Tuition fees The tuition fees levied by foreign universities make up one of the two primary components of education loans for studying abroad. An education loan is meant to help students who are studying abroad with the expense of their tuition. Tuition is paid on all student loan repayments. So, while deciding on the overall amount of your student loans, you should give top priority to covering your tuition costs. 3. Living expenses Several items can be referred to as "factors" in this sentence. Rent or room and board, food, and expenses for other daily essentials like transportation to and from school, a security deposit for accommodation, etc., are the primary living expenses for a student. Your living expenses should be taken into account when calculating the overall cost of your study abroad program. 4. Health insurance Several foreign institutions commonly ask international students to get health insurance. Because it is one of several expenses students must pay to study abroad, this particular expense is covered by an education loan. So, health insurance might be considered when applying for a student loan. 5. Study aid If the offer letter from your institution abroad specifies that you are responsible for paying for field trips and other extracurricular activities throughout your degree, this information can also be included in the education loan specifications. Students can also factor the cost of items like books, laptops, and other study aids into their overall expenses. Best undergraduate dual degree programs to study abroad Ever consider continuing your passion for music while pursuing a business degree? Or how about combining a Bachelor of Law with a Bachelor of Biotechnology? When looking for jobs, having two college degrees provides you with an advantage over the competition. Moreover, you can combine requirements for two distinct master's programs or occasionally a Bachelor's degree with a Master's. The most well-liked undergraduate dual degree programs to study abroad are as follows: BS in biology/BS in chemistry BA in liberal arts/BFA BA in business administration/BA in marketing BSN/BS in healthcare management BA in public health policy/BS in public health science BS in computer science/BA in game design BS in computer science/BS in software engineering BA in international relations/BA in a foreign language BA in psychology/BA in criminal justice BA in economics/BA in political science BA in economics/BS in mathematics Top bachelor's-master's dual programs BSN/MSN (also known as a BSN-to-MSN program) BS in social work/MSW BA in business/MBA BS in computer systems engineering/MS in computer science BS in public health/MPH BS in statistics/MS in applied math and statistics BA in international relations/MA in international affairs BA in justice and law/MA in counterterrorism and homeland security BA in political science/MPA BA in business administration/MBA Top dual degree universities to study abroad Following are the most popular universities to pursue dual degree programs abroad: Arizona State University Auburn University Benedictine University California University of Pennsylvania California Western School of Law Capella University Colorado Christian University Columbia University Cornell University Dallas Baptist University Many additional opportunities become available with a dual degree program. It enables you to pick your core area of study, experiment with others that fit your objectives or preferences, and discover your passion. TALK TO AN EXPERT

UTI is one of the pioneers of the Indian Mutual Fund Industry. With over Rs 2.4 Lakh crore, the AMC is one of the most trusted names in the mutual fund space. The UTI Mutual Fund offers products across asset classes. Let us talk about the flagship product – UTI Dividend Yield Fund.  UTI Dividend Yield Fund  Investment Objective: The objective of the scheme is to generate long-term capital appreciation and income by investing predominantly in dividend-yielding equity and equity-related securities. However, there can be no assurance or guarantee that the investment objective of the scheme would be achieved.  Investment Process:    The UTI Dividend Yield Fund would follow a bottom-up approach for stock picking following a value investment style and maintaining a well-diversified portfolio. By virtue, the fund tends to be less aggressive (less risky) than other types of funds, such as growth stock mutual funds.  Portfolio Composition  The portfolio holds the major exposure in large-cap stocks at 69% and sectoral major exposure is to Information Technology, which accounts for roughly one-fourth of the portfolio. The top 5 sectors hold more than 70% of the portfolio.  Note: Data as of 28th Feb. 2023. Source: UTIMF  Top 5 Holdings in UTI Dividend Yield Name Sector Weightage % Infosys Ltd. Information Technology 8.01 ITC Ltd. Consumer Goods 6.49 NTPC Ltd. Power 6.06 Tech Mahindra Ltd. Information Technology 5.43 Mphasis Ltd. Information Technology 4.38 Note: Data as of 28th Feb. 2023. Source: UTIMF  Performance Since Inception  If you had invested 10,000 at the time of inception of the fund, it would be now valued at Rs. 1,02,531, whereas the benchmark (Nifty 500 TRI) would have fetched you Rs1,06,452. Note: Performance of the fund since launch; Inception Date – 03rd May 2005 Source: utimf.com   The fund has underperformed against the benchmark. Investors have to be invested for a longer investment horizon to see the fund outperforming the benchmark.  Fund Manager  The fund is ably managed by Mr. Amit Premchandani. Mr. Amit Premchandani is Senior Vice President & Fund Manager - Equity. He holds a PGDM from IIM Indore and a CFA charter from CFA Institute, USA. He has completed a CA from ICAI. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in 2001 from Heramba Chandra College, Kolkata. Amit joined UTI AMC in 2009 as a Senior Research Analyst and has covered Banks, NBFCs, telecom, and cement in his research role. In addition, he took up portfolio responsibilities in June 2014. He has over 13 years of experience.   Who should invest?  Investors looking to  Supplement their core equity portfolio with a differentiated portfolio strategy  Increase their equity allocation with the intention of relative downside protection  A twin benefit of capital appreciation as well as dividend yield Investment Horizon  Why Invest?  The Fund endeavor to benefit from investing primarily in dividend-yielding equity shares at the time of investment.  The advantage of a portfolio with a 'value' style is that it provides a significant upside potential when a revival results in value unlocking.  Dividend-yielding stocks tend to have higher downside protection. Being rich in cash generations from their business result in a fair amount of stability and tend to be less aggressive (less risky) than other types of funds, such as style-based or market cap-based funds.   Probable twin benefit of capital appreciation and dividend yield from the fund.  Horizon  Ideal for investment with a time horizon of, preferably, five years or above   Investment through Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion The UTI Dividend Yield Fund has delivered consistent returns in the long run. Investors looking for relatively less risky funds with consistent dividends and capital appreciation returns can consider this fund.  Disclaimer: This is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only. 

The role of study abroad insurance in protecting your investment in your education and how it can be funded with an abroad education loan. Many Indian students want to pursue further education in developed nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, etc. While relocating to a new nation while you're young is exciting, challenges are involved. Be sure to purchase a study abroad insurance policy and all the other things you need to arrange for. What is a study abroad insurance? Travel insurance for studying abroad might help if something goes wrong while you're away from home. You'll need to get a separate medical insurance policy to cover these, as most policies do not cover medical problems. Travel insurance for students may provide coverage for the following: Theft or loss of your personal belongings The cost of the course if you have to drop it Destruction to your place of residence missing passports Certain things, such as musical instruments Flights being canceled Why get study abroad insurance? Even though studying abroad ought to be amazing, things might go wrong. With a strong insurance plan, you can recover any money you lose due to theft or other unavoidable events. Be sure the insurance coverage you choose provides adequate protection to cover your possessions. It's also crucial that you thoroughly study the policy so you know what you're covered for. Look for additional coverage, for instance, if your laptop is worth £1,000, but your electrical equipment is only insured up to £100. Most plans include exclusions, which means that you won't be protected in some situations. For instance, if you wreck property while intoxicated or if you leave your lodging unlocked. Most policies have exclusions that mean you won't be protected under certain circumstances. For instance, if you damage property while under the influence of alcohol or if you forget to lock your accommodation. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Hm8Iimib-iw How can you select the best travel health insurance plan? The institution, a foreign insurance company, or a local insurance company can help students purchase their chosen insurance plan. Notably, domestic insurers charge around one-third less for premiums than colleges or insurers in other countries do. The following are the different ways to choose the best travel health insurance plan:  1. Selecting the right policy Make sure you add up all the criteria given by your university and the visa because, occasionally, they might vary significantly depending on the program level. 2. Compare terms and conditions All insurance companies differ in at least a few respects. Make sure you meet their agents or compare them online to acquire crucial information regarding claims. With Policybazaar, you may compare several insurances as well. 3. Make a checklist Be sure that your policy recognizes and covers those areas if your institution or visa requirements have any particular criteria (often for the amount insured and covered); otherwise, it won't be helpful. 4. Do not skip policy wording Although it may be tedious, knowing any situations or conditions your insurance will not cover is crucial. This will ensure clarity along the road. 5. Check for add-ons If your university has any unique criteria, you can satisfy them by comparing the extra coverings you can purchase for a small charge. By choosing a more costly comprehensive insurance plan, you can personalize your coverage while saving money. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RRDhhStcV8Q How can study abroad insurance be funded with an abroad education loan? The insurance coverage should cover the student's life for the length and amount of the loan when you apply for financial aid for college. If the applicant so chooses, the loan amount may include the cost of the insurance premium. Where can you get study abroad insurance? It is good to compare prices to find the best bargain. Don't, however, pick the least expensive choice. Verify the insurance terms, what it covers, and that it is appropriate for you. You should consider the following places for overseas study insurance: Banks: Several banks pair student bank accounts with study insurance. Internet insurers: There are several websites on the internet devoted to studying abroad insurance. Universities and colleges: Several colleges provide insurance to visitors who want to study there. Private insurers: Study abroad insurance is available from several specialized insurers. Try high-street insurers and travel agencies. Although several insurance companies provide study abroad education insurance policies, it is important to pick the one that is ideal for you. Compare the coverage, benefits, premiums, inclusions, exclusions, exemptions, and other aspects of various policies. Finally, thoroughly read the policy wording and its terms and conditions before purchasing study abroad education insurance coverage, whether you do it online or in person.